Yikes! It's almost October!
And we have activities to report
Hello —
Now is an excellent time to send prayers and hopeful vibes to the folks west (and east) of us who were affected by Helene. A big part of the state is under plenty of duress and won’t be approaching normal any time soon. Contribute whatever material, physical, or spiritual support you’re comfortable doing. Thanks.
This newsletter’s inadvertent summer hiatus is over. And there’s a lot to discuss!
Regular jams continue the first and third Thursday, 7-9 p.m., at the Church of the Nativity on Ray Road.
The Fayetteville Ukulele Jamboree is Saturday, October 12, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Arran Lake Baptist Church, 1130 Bingham Drive, Fayetteville. Workshops are available at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with a concert by the NC Ukulele Collective at 1.
NCUC includes members of the uke clubs from Wilson, Fayetteville, New Bern, Oriental, and RALEIGH!!! The concert is free. Thanks to Nell for heading up our side of the operation.
If you’d like to register for the workshops — taught by Kent Knorr of the NC Ukulele Academy, Ginger Jablonski of the Wilson Ukulele Band, Danny McKeel of Wilson/RUJ, and our own Bonnie Walker! Registration for the workshops (including an event t-shirt) is $20. It will be a blast!
Our next open mic will be Halloween, Thursday, October 31, 7-9 p.m., at the church. Costumes welcome. Prepare a song to perform Spooktacular numbers welcome but not required. We’re working out whether we’ll have refreshments. (Probably) October is our anniversary month, after all. Stay tuned!
We have two outside gigs on the calendar:
East Regional Library, 946 Steeple Square Court, Knightdale, Saturday, November 9, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. I’ll draw up a setlist (it will be familiar). Plan to arrive early to set up so we can start on time. It’s a fun location.
North Regional Library, 7009 Harps Mill Road, Raleigh, Sunday, December 15, 2-3 p.m. Holiday Songs! Dress festively. It’s our only scheduled holiday “show” this year, so let’s have a lot of fun with it! Another fun location, not far from home base. Again, plan to arrive early.
Hope all your friends and loved ones are safe. See you at the Jam!
Pumpkin Spice Rick
Hi RUJers!
If you're on the regular email list or a Facebook follower, you probably know that my wife and I are relocating at the end of the month to Pueblo, Colorado! We're really excited and a bit overwhelmed. I'll also miss everyone I've met through the Uke Jam immensely.
David and a committee he's put together (including Bonnie, Nell, Bob, and George) will bring bigger and better things to RUJ in 2025 and beyond. I'll be watching with interest (and a little regret) from afar.
Unfortunately, this newsletter will go into hibernation. The posts will be archived, and a link to the archive will be on the RUJ website. But it won't be updated, because this website is attached to my personal email and I'm not letting David have it. So there. ;)
For now: Please check the website (theraleighukejam.com) and Facebook for updates about the jam. David will launch new ways to communicate with you ... perhaps through a blog or a new Substack. He's figuring that out.
If you're not on RUJ's email mailing list, please contact raleighukejam@gmail.com to get on it. That's the main outlet for updates, especially if you aren't on Facebook.
Meanwhile, I will be at the January 16 jam. At the church, 7-9 p.m. I hope I can see you to catch up before we load the Conestoga, feed the horses, and head West.
The uke jam has been a major source of inspiration, friendship, and growth for more than a decade, and I'll not be able to replace it fully. Thanks for putting up with me, and if you're in our area, check in!
Your Humble Correspondent Rick